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JACKSONVILLE – The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks continued to build strength in the trenches on Friday, announcing that offensive/defensive lineman Nick Torresso and rookie defensive lineman Malcolm Riley have been assigned to the Jacksonville roster on one-year contracts. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

The 24-year-old Torresso (6’2”, 315) heads south to Jacksonville after starting nine games for the Milwaukee Mustangs in 2012, his rookie season in the AFL. He appeared in a total of 15 games with the Mustangs overall. In addition to working along the line, Torresso also saw some action at fullback, totaling nine carries for 16 yards during the 2012 season. He started at fullback during the Mustangs’ Week 18 trip to Sea Best Field.

Before beginning his AFL career, Torresso was a mainstay at Bowling Green State University, where he played in 44 games over the course of his four-year stint at the school. Torresso made seven starts at guard during his senior season in 2010, but actually began his collegiate career on the defensive side of the ball. Playing defensive tackle for three years, Torresso totaled 38 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack.

Torresso becomes the second free agent offensive lineman to join the Sharks after spending the 2012 season with another AFL team, as he joins former Iowa Barnstormer Cornelius Lewis in Jacksonville. Torresso is a native of Chicago, Illinois.

Riley, 23, joins the Sharks after playing at the University of Toledo, the same school that produced former Shark defensive lineman Derrick Summers. As a senior in 2011, Riley tied for the team lead with 7.5 tackles for loss, totaled 37 tackles and finished second among Rockets with 4.0 sacks. Riley also led his team with seven quarterback hurries, forced two fumbles and recorded a pass defended.

As a junior in 2010, Riley tied for the team lead with a career-high total of 5.5 sacks and nine quarterback hurries, and ranked third on the squad with 10 tackles for loss. He was a fixture in the Toledo lineup from his first day on campus, appearing in 12 games during his freshman season in 2008.

Riley hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana and attended Snider High School.

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2013 season are now available, two tickets as low as $185. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.